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- Nov 14, 2014
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I don't read a lot of historical fiction, so I'm trying to find out what's the usual way of doing things from people who are more qualified than I am
I'll use an example.
Story is set in England, but is written in the French language. The characters are English, and the scene takes place at the King's court. OK, I'm not sure they'd speak to the king by using his first name, but let's say they do for the sake of it.
Narration in French speaks of "Jacques", referring to King James. But then, the name, when coming up in oral speech between English characters, is also "Jacques". As in "Voulez-vous du vin, Jacques ?" (Would you like some wine, Jacques?) And I find this bugs me a lot.
Am I just being silly about this? As I said, I don't read a lot of historical fiction, and it's even less often when I read historical fiction set in countries that don't use the same language as the writer. How are you writers approaching this (if you do)?
Thanks!
I'll use an example.
Story is set in England, but is written in the French language. The characters are English, and the scene takes place at the King's court. OK, I'm not sure they'd speak to the king by using his first name, but let's say they do for the sake of it.
Narration in French speaks of "Jacques", referring to King James. But then, the name, when coming up in oral speech between English characters, is also "Jacques". As in "Voulez-vous du vin, Jacques ?" (Would you like some wine, Jacques?) And I find this bugs me a lot.
Am I just being silly about this? As I said, I don't read a lot of historical fiction, and it's even less often when I read historical fiction set in countries that don't use the same language as the writer. How are you writers approaching this (if you do)?
Thanks!